Northern Studies Stream (NSS)
The Mission of the Northern Studies Stream
- To provide career development opportunities for learners may practice in Northern community rehabilitation centres
What is the NSS?
The Northern Studies Stream is a unique experience found at no other PT/OT program in Canada.
- In 1992, McMaster University partnered with Lakehead University to create a satellite campus in Thunder Bay
- Parallel academic units are run in both Thunder Bay and McMaster for 8-9 weeks
- The NSS curriculum is delivered in a manner that ensures similar academic standards between the McMaster and Thunder Bay sites
Why create the NSS?
This stream was developed in response to a need for rural clinicians in Northern Ontario. There are a multitude of benefits from the use of this program, including:
- Increasing students' awareness and knowledge of the determinants of health unique to northern and rural communities
- Increasing the awareness of First Nations health concerns and practices
- Students are provided with skills required for the unique practice of rural healthcare
- Support from preceptors, program educators and other clinicians in the north
- Partnerships between rehabilitation professionals, McMaster, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the local communities
How successful is the NSS program?
Studies conducted by McMaster faculty in the north and other program staff have demonstrated that:
- Each year, anywhere from 12-25% of students who participate in the NSS program return to work in this region
- In Northwestern Ontario, greater than 80% of practicing OT and PT clinicians actively take students for clinical placements, compared to 30-40% of clinicians in southern Ontario
- Studies have shown that retention is improved amongst clinicians who feel involved with education and supported in their professional practice. The NSS program provides both of these opportunities
- NSS program has consistently received excellent feedback from students (average of 9.67 / 10)
How are current students selected to participate in the NSS program?
- An information session will be held for those students who may be interested in the Northern Studies Stream in the fall of the first year
- 50% of each class has the opportunity to participate in the NSS over their two years in the program. A lottery system has been put into place to allocate these spots.